On Monday, political veteran Sylvia Poitier, 69, qualified to run for the District 2 commission seat in Deerfield Beach, her base for decades. Poitier served as a city commissioner from 1974 to 1985, when she was appointed to the County Commission. Poitier lost her seat in 1998 when she was ousted by Kristin Jacobs, now mayor of Broward County.

Longtime resident Linda Knowles is also expected to run for the District 2 seat occupied by Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed, who is stepping down in March.

In Dania Beach, three candidates began campaigning in early November for three open seats.

Karen Gottlieb, Anne Castro and Ann Page have been handing out brochures, attending meetings and posting signs throughout the city.

"We are just trying to get some name recognition," said Castro, who filed her first campaign report in October. "I think that's why we are coming out early. We want to build a wider basis of support from people who don't normally turn out."

Page, Gottlieb and former Commissioner John Bertino filed on Monday. Castro said she plans to file this week.

The top vote getter will become mayor for a year; the second-place candidate will be vice mayor. Commissioners are only allowed to serve two terms consecutively.

In Cooper City, next-door neighbors Angelica Palank and Bart Roper filed to run; she for mayor, he to retain his commission seat. Newcomer Elliot Kleiman, father of former commissioner Scott Kleiman, also filed for a commission seat.

In Hallandale Beach, four people requested qualifying documents, but no one completed their forms, the city clerk's office said.